A chain-link fence with barbed wire will be installed to cut off access to the Goldstream bridge, where a 16-year-old took his own life in January.
The death of Andre Courtemanche, who had struggled with depression, prompted calls for better mental-health supports along with measures to prevent future deaths at the rail bridge. His body was found in Goldstream Provincial Park on Jan. 9.
The barriers are being installed by the Island Corridor Foundation, which owns the rail line.
They will include a six- to eight-foot chain-link fence with barbed wire blocking access to the ends of the trestle, fencing around unauthorized trails in the park that connect to the trestle and signs alerting park users when they’re entering private property, said foundation CEO Larry Stevenson.
The changes are based on the advice of mental-health professionals, he said, adding the work is expected to take two to three weeks to complete.
There were five deaths at the Goldstream Trestle between 2016 and 2020, according to the B.C. Coroners Service.
Efforts to improve safety on the rail bridge are part of a wider regional strategy by West Shore and Sooke communities to create a comprehensive plan focused on suicide prevention.
In the wake of Courtemanche’s death, a group formed to work on preventing future tragedies, and included representatives from school districts, RCMP, Langford Fire Rescue, elected officials and the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Its goals include training to recognize and intervene in suicide, raising public awareness, improving safety of infrastructure and improving mental-health supports, said Jonny Morris, CEO of the B.C. branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association.
The group is also looking to recruit a full-time regional suicide prevention leader who would work with mental health organizations and other partners in the community.
The new role could lead to conversations about how to improve care for people in crisis in Sooke and the West Shore and a regional strategy for mental health, Morris said.
Adding barriers to potentially dangerous locations has been shown to be an effective way to reduce suicide deaths, he said. “You’re creating many opportunities for disruption and hesitation,” he said.
Suicide prevention focuses on creating possibilities for connection, safety and help, which can be as simple as asking someone if they’re thinking about hurting themselves, Morris said.
Langford Mayor Stew Young welcomed any changes to improve safety for people in crisis.
“If it saves one life, then it’s worth doing,” he said.
• If you or a loved one are struggling with depression or having thoughts of suicide, you can contact the Vancouver Island Crisis Line at 1-888-494-3888 or vicrisis.ca.
